[mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] [Fwd: [opensuse-offtopic] And now the Manchurian microchip]

[Garry Stahl]

Aaron Kulkis wrote:
> Here's my theory on how "black helicopter" paranoia began.
>  
> Having seen a LOT of helicopters, (painted all sorts of colors,
> even mostly white)they all APPEAR BLACK when viewed from the
> ground, because all you really see is a shadow against the sky
> which is far brighter than whatever light is reflected off the
> aircraft itself.  Most helicopters are painted with "flat"
> points rather than glossy -- especially those owned by
> government agencies.  Flat paints tend to be more durable than
> glossies (or at least they don't show minor wear as much).
>
> And at night, they appear even "more" black than in daytime.
>
>
> When is the last time you saw a helicopter flying in the
> sky and it did NOT appear to be black?
>   

Haven't been watching choppers much lately.

However there is one point.  Gloss paints wear better.  The slickness
rebuffs damage better than the pitted surface of a flat paint.  Dirt and
wear can get a better grip on flat paint. 

My understanding that militarizes prefer flat paints because they don't
reflect light as strongly.  Your not going to get a flash of reflected
light off a flat green Blackhawk  The paint will wear faster.  I can;t
recall ever seeing a civilian aircraft painted in a flat paint.  Even
non-combat military aircraft get glossy paint for the wear factor. 
Recall Air Force One and Marine One.  Every airliner you have ever seen,
all glossy.

-- 
Garry  AKA  --Phoenix--  Rising above the Flames.

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